The Rachel’s Vineyard ministry for healing after abortion is having a retreat the weekend of Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2015 at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center. Cost is $170 (financial assistance available if necessary). This Catholic healing retreat is open to everyone whose life has been touched by abortion. All faiths welcome. For more information and to register contact Melanie Baglow at 504-889-2431 or mkbaglow@cox.net. This retreat is strictly confidential.

Deacon Ed Ramos from Most Holy Trinity Parish in Delisle needs volunteers, especially women, for the Hancock County jail ministry on Saturdays at 9 a.m. Female chaplains need to be present in order for Mass or a communion service to be celebrated for female inmates. It is a SAFE and relaxed environment, and you will be accompanied by either a priest or a deacon at all times. Contact Deacon Ed Ramos at 228-323-0765 if interested.

Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Delisle hosts Bingo every Wednesday night at Diamondhead Country Club. Early Bird games begin at 6:30 p.m. and regular games begin at 7:00 p.m. The Country Club will be serving food at 5:00 p.m. These Bingo games are helping to pay off MHT’s debt and your support is appreciated.

Consider making a spiritual weekend called Cursillo. It is a three-day “Short Course in Christianity” beginning on a Thursday evening, ending on Sunday afternoon. Cursillo is held at the Diocesan Retreat Center in the Dedeaux community (Sacred Heart Parish). The suggested donation is $100, but the lack of funds should not prevent you from this experience. The next men’s Cursillo is March 12—15, 2015. If you would like further information or have questions please contact Michael Werda at 228-332-0363.

We are happy to announce that OLG parishioners David & Patricia Resor are one of the four couples from our diocese chosen to attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, PA in September of 2015.

MARRIAGE ANNULMENTS The Catholic Church teaches that a valid sacramental marriage is a permanent, lifelong, commitment. An annulment is a decree of the Catholic Church that a valid sacramental marriage never existed. Most common reasons why the Church grants annulments: Intention to remain childless; No intention to make a lifelong monogamous commitment; Immaturity at time of marriage; Lack of compatibility Substantial error of person (not knowing the person as he/she was); Irresponsible Substance abuse or addiction serious enough to impair judgment of marriage commitment; Failure to consummate marriage. Deacon Eddie Renz can be contacted through the parish office (228-467-6509) to answer questions or assist anyone seeking an annulment of a former marriage.

A new selection of Lighthouse Catholic Media CDs are now available at the CD kiosk by the choir loft stairs. Please take a moment to browse such titles as The Jesus Question by Matthew Kelly, Meet Your Mother: An Introduction to Mary by Mark Miravalle, Down to Earth-Grounded in Faith by Mark Hart, and Contraception: Cracking the Myths by Prof. Janet E. Smith. Suggested donation for each CD is $3.00.

In an effort to raise additional funds, Holy Trinity Catholic School is participating in the Box Tops for Education program. This program has been an easy way for parents and students to earn cash that goes directly to the school. Schools can earn up to $20,000 by clipping Box Tops coupons from over 240 products. Track our schools progress by signing up at btfe.com. If community members are interested in contributing to Holy Trinity Catholic School?s efforts by donating Box Tops, please put them in the box at the entrance of the church. If you have any questions you may contact the school office at 228-467-5158. All of your contributions are greatly appreciated.

St. Gerard Outreach is in dire need of baby diapers sizes 3, 4, and 5. If you are able to make a donation of diapers, or a monetary donation, please contact Brent Woodfill at 228-463-1238. You may also drop off donations to the parish office.

The St. Clare (Waveland) Altar Society is pleased to announce their new gift shop is open. They have a variety of Catholic gifts for all occasions—greeting cards, Mass cards, jewelry, rosaries, bibles, prayer books, and much more.
The shop is open Wednesdays 3-6 p.m., Saturdays before and after the 4 p.m. Mass, and Sundays before and after masses at 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. Call Rhonda at 342-0873 or Sandy at 304-1952 for more information or inquiries.

A new organization has been formed within our area. It is a branch of the International Order of Alhambra. This is an organization of Catholic men and women, 18 years old or older. The organization has as a primary objective helping and serving people that are Intellectually and Developmentally Disadvantaged (IDD) while having fun doing it. This group has been formed primarily for the Bay/Waveland area, however it will serve IDD people from within the entire Hancock County area. For more information please call either Bill Kane at 228-547-3790 or Jay Gamble at 228-342-3403.

Given to us by now Saint John Paul II, the Theology of the Body is renewing marriages, awakening vocations, healing deep personal wounds, and setting people free to live the lives of greatness to which we are all called.
For more information on this program and meeting dates, please contact Sara Braud at either sara.braud89@gmail.com or call 985-285-7525.

If you shop at a Claiborne Hill super market and you would like to help the Hancock County Food Pantry continue its mission to provide food for needy county residents, here is an easy way to do it: The stores offer a 1% rebate on their cash register receipts to non-profit organizations such as the Pantry. All you have to do is turn in your receipts to the Pantry and they’ll take care of the rest. For more information, call Ed Catone, Pantry Director, at 228-304-0152.